Dr. Andrew E. Holzman has helped countless people in the greater Washington, DC area see clearly thanks to LASIK. The advanced laser vision correction procedure continues to grow in popularity, proving an excellent alternative to glasses and contact lenses.
Despite decades of safety, people continue to have misconceptions about LASIK and what could go wrong during surgery. For example, some people worry that LASIK can lead to total vision loss. Can LASIK make you go blind, though? Let’s answer that question below.
Are There Any Documented Cases of Blindness from LASIK?
No.
According to the American Refractive Surgery Council, there have been zero documented cases of anyone going blind because of LASIK. Medical science has not found a single instance in which LASIK was the primary cause of a person’s blindness. In fact, a person is more likely to go blind from an eye infection caused by their contact lenses than they are from undergoing LASIK.
Despite this indisputable fact, a fear still exists about going blind from LASIK.
Why Do People Fear Going Blind from LASIK?
There are two primary reasons why people are afraid of going blind from LASIK.
Misconceptions About What Happens During Surgery
If you ask someone what happens during LASIK, they may tell you that a laser burns away part of the eye. That’s not a nuanced description of the surgery at all, and it feeds into fears, myths, and misunderstandings about what actually happens during LASIK.
Yes, a laser is used to reshape the cornea, but it is guided by a sophisticated computer system. Eye doctors also use numbing eye drops to eliminate pain and ensure high levels of safety the entire time.
Anxiety About Operations Involving the Eyes
The eyes are such vulnerable organs. Just getting a grain of sand in the eyes can be extremely uncomfortable. It’s no surprise that people have a major worry about a laser being used on the surface of the eye itself.
We understand, and that’s why we’re here to offer perspective and support.
Our team takes time during the consultation process to walk patients through every step of surgery. Knowing what to expect can help eliminate irrational fears about losing your eyesight from the procedure.
LASIK Is Known for Safety and Patient Satisfaction
As we’ve stressed before on this blog, LASIK has high success rates and low risk of complications. Our Washington, DC team of eye care specialists can go over these numbers and facts with you in greater detail to help you understand that you are in capable, caring hands during your visit.
How Our Team Minimizes LASIK Surgery Risks
Even though going blind is not an issue during LASIK, our team always strives to minimize harm to patients and optimize the results of surgery. By using the latest in LASIK technology, our team offers the safest and most effective laser eye surgery possible. We also put an emphasis on detailed pre-op and post-op care so you can heal quickly and free from any problems.
Learn More About LASIK
For more information about LASIK and how it can benefit you, be sure to contact a skilled LASIK surgeon. You can reach our practice in the Washington, DC area by calling (202) 785-2435. We look forward to hearing from you and offering useful answers to any questions you have about laser eye surgery.
